Owner Manual

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Installation Instructions

For Mohawk Engineered Hardwood oors with Ply Construction

Suboor Requirements on Above or Below Grade

These recommendations are not intended to supersede federal, state or local building codes, but as with many other interior finish products, may require

modifying existing structural components for a successful installation. Hardwood flooring is not a structural component. The product warranty does not

protect against loss caused by inadequate subfloors, flooring substructures or improper installation of said substructures.

Engineered hardwood floors may be installed over any structurally sound subfloor that is flat, clean and dry on all grade levels. All subfloors should be:

• Clean: Suboor must be clean and free of dirt, curing compounds, drywall mud, wax, paint, oil, sealers, adhesives and other debris. These may be

removed mechanically. Do not install glue down oors over chemically cleaned substrates.

• Flat: Suboor must be at within 3/16" in 10' radius (5 mm in 3 m) and/or 1/8" in 6' radius (3 mm in 2 m). Sand high areas or joints. Fill low areas with

a high compressive strength (min. 3,000 psi) portland based compound.

• Dry: Wood oor moisture should be evaluated using the guidance supplied above under the heading Job Site Conditions. Concrete suboors must

be cured for a minimum of 60 days. The moisture content of a concrete suboor should be tested using an in-situ probe and show <75% RH (ASTM

F2170). Test results must be recorded on page 16 of these instructions and left as a permanent record of testing with the homeowner. If moisture

levels exceed these limits, DO NOT INSTALL the ooring until appropriate corrections are made.

NOTE: Basements and crawl spaces must be dry. Use of a 6 mil black polyethylene membrane is required to cover 100% of the crawl space earth. Crawl

space clearance from ground to underside of joist should be no less than 18" and perimeter vent spacing should be equal to 1.5% of the total square footage

of the crawl space area to provide cross ventilation.

NOTE: To increase reliability, appropriate subfloor moisture testing should be performed after the HVAC system has been in operation for a minimum of 5

days. Excess moisture on any flooring substrate, if not identified and corrected prior to installation, will cause floor covering failure. Our Warranties DO

NOT cover any problems due to moisture levels that exceed these guidelines.

Structurally sound wood subfloor: Nail or screw any areas that are loose or squeak. Wood panels should exhibit an adequate fastening pattern, glued,

screwed or nailed as system requires, using an acceptable nailing pattern, typically 6" (15 cm) along bearing edges and 12" (31 cm) along intermediate

supports. Flatten edge swell as necessary. Replace any water damaged, swollen or delaminated subflooring or underlayment.

Building codes establish requirements for structural support components of flooring systems which may not provide adequate rigidity and support for proper

installation and performance of a hardwood floor. Whenever possible, install flooring perpendicular to the floor joists for maximum stability.

NOTE: When joist spacing exceeds the traditional 16" on center, manufacturer recommends you apply a thin bead of Performance Accessories Tongue &

Groove D3 glue to the bottom side of the groove to lock the tongue and groove profile in place. This will reduce the potential for movement of the tongue

and groove, which may contribute to squeaking or crackle. When using this method of installation, you may continue to choose to staple or nail down the

hardwood depending on your preference. Using a D3 tongue and groove glue with the staple reduces movement as the sub-floor deflects.